Huntington Beach EPS Foam Foodware Ordinance

## Important City Council Meeting on Tuesday, 1/21 at 6pm. Click on the 'More Info' tab for more details. ##
Surfrider is encouraging the Huntington Beach City Council to adopt an expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam foodware ban for restaurants and other food vendors within city limits. Often mistakingly referred to as Styrofoam, EPS foam foodware poses unique problems when littered while alternative and often reusable options are available. San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach have already acted on this important issue in Orange County and we are urging the Huntington Beach City Council to pass a similar ordinance. EPS foam does not biodegrade in our lifetimes. It may photodegrade and/or break into small pieces if littered, which are harder to clean up. EPS foam is typically made from non-renewable fossil fuels and synthetic chemicals that may leach out over time, especially if in contact with hot, greasy or acidic food. Animals can mistake EPS foam for food or nesting materials. Although inexpensive to buy, EPS can be expensive to clean up. Since they are so inexpensive, polystyrene products are often thrown away or littered after a single use.

Click Here to sign the online action that will send an email to all seven Huntington Beach City Councilmembers. If possible, please take a few moments to customize the subject and body. Please note if you are a Huntington Beach resident or if you live out of town, include why they should consider your opinion.

## JOIN US AT CITY COUNCIL on Tuesday, January 21st at 6pm to let City Council know in person that this is an important issue to YOU! The meeting is in Council Chambers at 2000 Main Street in HB. Wear a blue shirt and try to arrive a little early for any last minute updates. ##

Often mistakingly referred to as Styrofoam, EPS foam foodware poses unique problems when littered while alternative and often reusable options are available. San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach have already acted on this important issue and we are urging the Huntington Beach City Council to pass a similar ordinance. Click Here for some facts on polystyrene.

Surfrider focuses our litter efforts on four main culprits we see at our beach cleanups: bags, bottles, butts and foam. The missing piece in Huntington Beach is expanded polystyrene foam. Huntington Beach is already a leader with a reusable bag ordinance ready to be in effect soon to tackle plastic bag litter. California in general is tackling the plastic bottle litter problem with a CRV. Surfrider is helping to tackle cigarette butt litter locally with outdoor ash cans and awareness efforts throughout town.

Here are some of the arguments against the ordinance we have heard and how we respond:

Hurting small business - the cost differences for ocean friendly alternatives are minimal. Encouraging "in store" reusables would cut cost of purchasing to go stuffs.
People would lose jobs - alternative companies could then grow further and we would be protecting the tourism industry that brings the most revenue to our city by keeping beaches clean.
But we can recycle EPS foam foodware - showing how much DOESNT get recycled and alternatives could break down in the environment, especially.
A polystyrene ban should be state wide - well there are 72 cities that think the same thing. We obviously need to knock on state govt's door.
Consumers will have to pay a higher price - Not if there are low cost alternatives or if reusables are utilized. Studies show that people like shopping where there is a give back program.